Thats because you're backing BA Tiramisu, I suspect that some of the CSD's from the other side of the camp may see it differently! There may even be some who will deliberately come in exactly on time or even hide before briefing. I've been doing my other BA job today and I have heard it suggested! See PM

SCCM offloaded...
 

Wiggy, re your post about a sccm being removed from a flight...
Well, unfortunately I have witnessed a few CSD being very negative and unprofessional in the briefing room before - not to mention the language some use an I am not a prude!
It is good to hear they are not getting away with it just because they are sccm and they are an embarrassment to the majority of CSD who are dedicated and balanced.

Ottergirl - are you saying CSD's should come in long before their report time?

We do already. How do you think those briefing sheets multiply into enough for all of the crew? The long-haul CSDs are usually half an hour preparing their briefing, working out allowances, etc. The point is its unpaid and therefore technically voluntary - not that the work would get done without it.

At least now the upgrade era is a thing of the past, the number of begging letters to be read is greatly reduced! Theres five minutes to spend with the Captain straight away!

So here we go round 2 time to stand up and be counted don't be afraid of the management spin all that staff travel twaddle loss couldn't give a flying xxxx . Proud to stand up and be counted rather than pussy foot into work on a strike day. Bedfont is calling you know you want to.

Timmy - was that really necessary....

Ottergirl - "We" so you must be a CSD but how do you feel about doing all of that unpaid work...photocopying,etc. Why cannot you be given these copies by the Ops desk, and all allowances etc are on the intranet for crew to look up themselves< and then turn up at minus 5 like most of the FC do.

Just seems like your making jobs for yourself.

Curiously Watersidewonker I almost do. The biggest crew party in the world did sound really appealing but I don't think they'd let me in without a Union membership!

Juan - well, as the Daily Mail have said I am on 60K:eek: I must be earning enough to spare a few extra minutes for BA! And I do hate to look stupid in the briefing room by having no idea what I'm talking about!

Juan - Your comments may be suitable for whatever forums are held by your union, but this website is for normally civilised discussion and debate.

There are many people reading this still undecided as to if they will strike or not. Here lies an opportunity for you to put forward your beliefs and point of view as someone supporting the strike. Dont abuse it. We all want to understand both sides of the story, and how crew are influenced. Thats what this thread is for.

Regards

Six

I wish some of the pro-strike contributors on this thread would have the courage of their convictions and actually state their case. The thread is moderated well enough to prevent personal abuse for expressing an opinion. At the moment it it rather sad to see short and rather pointless sniping making no real point at all.

The message is being lost in the fog of rhetoric folks.

Let us re-examine a few points, especially now w'wonkers back. In no particular order.

1. It has been proved, beyond reasonable doubt that BASSA are inept - the judge ruled so - imposition was an entirely reasonable and legal route to take, in the present economic environment.

2. Mr Walsh is a man of his word. Read your ESS mail. WYSIWYG. At no time has he mentioned a paycut for CC. Many other BA workers have taken a paycut.

3. Emotion? it cuts no ice with the people that matter and they are: the customer, the shareholder, the Board, Mr Walsh, the rest of BA employees that have not been hoodwinked - (the meek will inherit the earth IMHO).

4. UNITE are on an agenda that is very difficult to second guess. What is for sure, they can't possibly have BA CC interests in mind or else they would have distanced themselves from Lizanne Malone. They see her as a loose cannon creating havoc, but never mind, she's utlimately sacrificial. Up the Marxist cause, Len for secretary, comrades.

5. The passion of the 'BA backers' is being soaked up by the passengers. The passengers are the arbiters of good taste and judgement. The strikers should be well advised to remember that the erudition of the many will see through the shallow mentality of the few.

6. The new spirit of the One Team is the way forward. Not before time IMHO.

GF

BA Stock Gains Show Investors Back ?Hardball? Stance (Update2) - Bloomberg.com

This may be of interest to all of us.

The sad thing is that I don't think I've read one reason for striking on this thread. Sure, we've had a few union quotes but no actually explanation of why a strike is necessary

(1) Imposition?
(2) Crew taken off flights?
(3) New fleet?

Yes, those headlines have been stated, but no actual explanation of the reasoning behind it.

I am absolutely, implacably opposed to any hint of bullying. Some striking members HAVE been guilty of intimidation.

A close friend of mine is going through a tough time deciding whether to report next Saturday. She is opposed to the strike but feels under pressure from BASSA members. To date one of her oldest work friends has stated that she will never speak to her again if she works. She was also told on her last flight by two crew members that they would 'find out' if she worked. These two then went on to explain that she would have problems flying with strikers after that. She wants to work but is being bullied into striking.

That, bacabincrew, is why Captains will be quite right to take a zero tolerance approach to any harassment coming from (or 'to' for that matter) strikers in the future.

Anyone scared of coming to work
 

I've said it before, if you don't back the strike or want to go to work but are scared, why not resign from BASSA ?
That way, you HAVE to go to work or you are illegally striking - you're 'friends' cannot argue with that. And it might actually help everyone get a resolution to this mess if people start sticking their two fingers up at the union that has represented them so badly.

arthurscargill: That is, frankly, a naive view. It would be obvious to your 'friends' that you simply resigned to avoid supporting the strike. Do you really think that those that have bullied/threatened you will simply then say 'oh thats ok then!'.

One point that may have been missed: BA are running VCC courses through April and May. That means that WW is in this for the long haul. He is happy for the strike to run on. Most crew are working. As time goes on more of the intial strikers will lose heart and this will feed itself and BA will have enough crew to run the normal operation on a continuous basis. The remaining strikers will then be totally isolated and marginalised. Effectively, the strike will peeter out in the long term. Those few still out after 90 days are another story....

..and in that single example, 320 driver, lies the malignancy that eats away at our magnificent company - and why this debacle IS about attrition to root out the cancer that eats from within - and why, fundamentally, the day job has to be managed as a 'ONE team', with the correct chain of command recognised - with crew empowered to reject misguided and malignant behaviour.

GF

Fuel Hedging
 

ViewFrom - BA won't have made money from hedging this weekend. If there was a theoretical profit, (i.e. hedge less than the pump price) it would be retained by BA. The point of hedging isn't to make a profit. It is to reduce risk due to volatility in the commodity price. In the long run you can't beat the market but you can smooth out the price changes. BA has strict rules about hedging - they stop speculation and this is important to stop someone thinking they can and end up doing "a Nick Leason".

CB

320:

I accept it will be a naive view. However, true friends will respect your decision. If your decision is to come to work (for whatever reason), then to resign from the union backs that up in my opinion. Sure, people will see through it but they will focus their atention on people who voted for the strike, are still in BASSA and have come to work.
I guess i'm just a little confused why anyone who wants to come to work would stick with BASSA after all this. :(

It comes back to the point of WW and BF needing to re-engage with the crew i suppose.

Harassment and bullying
 

320 driver wrote:
Let me say that I work closely with the team which sets the harassment and bullying policy and manages the harassment advisors, and I can assure everyone that H&B is taken seriously. Any cabin crew member who suffers should report this to an IFCE manager. Help can also be obtained from any of the harassment advisors, they are listed on this page.

https://planetba.baplc.com/general/a...s?OpenDocument

In support of WW
 

#384. Just to let you know I too canx my Unite membership before Xmas as I couldn't let my subs go towards the union bringing down the company I've given over 20 years to.
You are not alone.

The trouble is, there is more at stake for some people than behaviour that can be classed as bullying and harassment. As with 320drivers friend, losing long standing friends and people refusing to socialise with you out of work can not be 'sorted' by BA. You could argue till you're blue in the face that real friends wouldn't behave like that but they can and do! Cabin crew are by nature sociable and there will be many friendships destroyed by this IA.

Losing close friends over any issue is a sad fact of life. Families were split, and remain spilt, following the miners dispute. Sad as it is doing what you consider to be the right thing for you is the only way of approaching the issue. If close friends see that as an issue over which they are prepared to bin a long friendship then that is, unfortunately, life.

I would, however, question my definition of a close friend if they made threats to 'never speak to me again' if I didn't behave the way they wanted me to.

I like to say thanks to Tony Woodley and Derek Simpson for sending my late (ex engineer, deceased two years ago, retired from BA three years ago) father a letter apologising for their comments regarding 'BA's ill maintained aircraft'.

No wonder they can't organise a legitimate ballot.

I have to say that I'm appalled at the attitude of some strikers. How dare they try to intimidate anyone who'd like to go to work? Bullies are born from insecurity and jealousy. Simple as that.

I'm not a striker and I know people would love to have a pop at me if they knew who I was. These people will not intimidate me. They can of course try, but they will find themselves in an office pdq.

I am of the opinion that whichever way you voted and whether or not you participated in a strike does not matter when it comes to working on "normal" days. We have to respect each other and each other's opinions. There are plenty of people in the world that I don't necessarily agree with, but it doesn't mean that I should behave in a threatening manner towards them. I wouldn't even contemplate it.

320 driver, please let your friend know that any form of B&H will be taken seriously. I know it's difficult for your friend when long-term friends make these threats, but one have to ask if such friends are really that good to have around? My friends support me, and don't judge me, same as I do for my friends. I think that's the way it's supposed to be in this world, although I can understand that it may seem like wishful thinking. If your friend wants some extra support or anything at all, please get in touch with me via PM. I'm happy to help if I can.

Gg

These are my views and not those of my employer

I would like to thank all the crew who have made what must have been a very hard decision and back BA. I can assure you that customers and the rest of the airline appreciate it.

In my role I get to speak to a lot of passangers and also a lot of the trade, most just do not see where this has come from. Most are actually confused as to why so many have voted yes. Even the senior people that I speak to within the trade just do not get it, most have looked at the initail offer and just said Why !!!

With regards of the Forum question BASSA vs BA

BASSA have shown themselves to be a spent force, this is the reason why they use the personal attacks, bullying, harrasment and childish aruments. Even from BASSA Im yet to hear a valid reasoned proposal (argument) why they feel the need to strike. Nearly all communication is aimed at a very personal, very childish level and never clear on actual facts that can be backed up. The last email posted on this email sums up the difference in the two sides, why would a union wait until after the strike to check with their lawyers on something that has been stated time and time again will happen.

BA on the other hand where possible have stated the facts and not lowered themselves to the he said she said school ground tactics of BASSA. All the way through WW has stated what will happen, when it will happen and what the consequences of any action will be. So far its only BA that have been 100% accurate at predicting the future as thay have stuck to their word.

Im sort of new in BA 11 years, so Im sort of led to believe that usually what would happen is that BA would suggest something.. BASSA would then usually say no and threaten strike action... this would go on for a while and then BA would give in... Im sorry but WW is not that sort of CEO, anyone would easily be able to see that he is here for the long term, has a plan backed 100% by the board and will see this through. Sorry to go back but just thought another thing that would usually happen is that BA would usually not have a clue on how to plan something like they have now and the terminals would usually be in chaos.. Well this time there is a plan, which is working, as WW is aware of what needs doing and gets on and does it.

As he stated in his forum today ST is not for neotiation at all.. I think there were a few people clapping after this. For the radio 5 argument I think waht summed it up is the bit where the CSD was quite for a while as the penny dropped...

Reading through this thread and I may be wide of the mark as Im not involved with the delights of working onboard.. But it seems to me that in a strange way the strike has actually brought the company together... Is this true onboard?

I was flying the other week and as usual went and chatted to the crew and to say Thank You. I was a touch apprehensive of this due to it being the day after the strike announcement but I always say Thanks when the service has been so good. Chatting to a member of crew we exchanged the usual polite conversation and then he asked me where I worked(deep breath and waited to be asked what my preference of coffee was) waterside... He just opened up and explained how he used to be so pro bassa, part of the Galley FM brigade and hated his job. After the court case he decided to do a bit more looking and then resigned from BASSA as he could not belive how he was being represented and misled by texts and emails. Now he loves his job again as he feels he does not have the burden of all the negativity of WW will do this and BF said that. His last sentance to me was 20 odd years ive been here loved the first 10 hated the next how ever many and since Ive stopped listening to the muppet show its like my first day back at work...



Keep up the good work everyone

^^^^ This.

You have to look after yourself and also believe that true friends will appreciate your stance. And again resigning from the union gives credence to your stance.


NewYorker - what a great post. Lets hope theres more like this guy - enjoying their job again without that huge monkey on their backs.

If a friend does not respect you for being yourself and having the guts to stand up for your beliefs, then they are not really a friend. Friends are there to support you. They may not agree with your decision (choice of boyfriends/ girlfriends/ place you holiday/ change of religion, etc) but they respect your decision and support you.

This industrial action is putting uneccesary pressure amongst crew friends to lie about if they worked. I know of seven crew who lied to their friends after going to work as they felt intimidated. These were the same friends who when turned to by someone scared and undecided tried to pressure them to join the picketers.

I think emotion clouds judgment, and many are unfortunately stuck in one huge thunderstorm. :(

Can someone from the CC community or those in the know comment on the following rumour doing the rounds on the ramp today.

1. That there are a very high number of BASSA reps who have gone sick before the strike.

2. That 2 BASSA reps doing a CSD course have resigned from BASSA so they can continue their course.

3. That 4 CC from LGW have gone sick and one gone on strike. All 5 are BASSA reps wives.

We find this quite amazing TBH. It can't be true ... can it ?

PS There is no support on the ramp at LHR for striking CC but a lot of admiration for all the guys and girls coming into work. :ok:

So HAHA

Tell us again why you, especially at LGW struck?

:ok:

for our transfers, agreements, pursers and our careers.

Gatwick has given enough. We won't let the company take anymore.

That's more than enough reasons. No?

..and you would agree with BASSA then that all members including LGW ones should take a pay-cut to re-instate the extra crew member ONLY at LHR?

In fact, why are terms unequal for cc away from LHR? Did BASSA agree this?

I agree with BASSA that a pay cut, which to me would be 23 pounds a month would be acceptable. In order to return the second purser to LGW flights which our premium customers demanded 2 years ago. In turn ensuring our pursers earned more than main crew.

And a £23 per month, to protect my transfer agreement.

And a £23 per month to protect my agreements.

23 pound a month, which would be repayable. That’s a round of drinks at the bar. A takeaway on a Saturday night.

It protects my future. The future of my colleagues and I'd give it in a heartbeat.

Carry on. You're on a roll.

I admire you. You are 1 in an airport.

How many at LGW actually struck do you think, and if it is a tiny percentage of those there, what do you think all your work mates down there are missing that you so clearly see?

Contrary to company spin, there was more than 40 of us at the support centre on Saturday. The rest. A spine. Pure and simple. The courage to stand up for their careers.

In truth, Gatwick has more reason in this dispute than any other fleet. We've been columbused. We've given our pound of flesh back in 2006. Now the company wants more. Completely unacceptable. No?

I've lost my staff travel now, and have nothing to lose anymore. Big deal. I've used it twice in 6 years. And I might add that both times were pretty traumatic experiences that I wouldn't hope to repeat again.

I won't give in to a bully. Never will.

See you on the picket line. Saturday. 7 am. Sharp.

Laughing boy
 

Sorry HaHaHa, but DOES the 'company' want more from Gatwick?

As far as I'm aware BASSA are the only ones so far to offer to (yet again) disadvantage Gatwick crew in the hope of bouying up Heathrow Crews' Pay and Terms & Conditions, by offering ALL crew (inc Gatwick) up for a payCUT to reinstate the (clearly unnecessary) extra crew member at Heathrow!!

Obviously this fervently 'democratic' outfit didn't feel it necessary to ask their 10,000 plus members what their thoughts were on taking the TWO paycuts that they have now offered BA without membership support or consultation!

Bearing in mind that Gatwick has been operating VERY successfully (and DEMONSTRABLY well)....well above other airlines' minimums and WITHOUT this extra crewmember for years, AND on minimal wages, why should the clearly poorer-off crew at LGW support the LHR CSD BASSA 'Bosses' in their unwinable and outrageous bid to hijack and ransom our great company British Airways?!....a company whose success, I would highlight, is necessary for all of our pensions and future salaries to be paid.

This is clearly not the sort of inconvenience the Unite Reps have to worry about...their pensions are nothing to with BAs trading capacity, but, like, whateverlike, VillieValsh 'n' all that ****init

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Dear oh dear flybymerchant.

Completely in factual. The deal BASSA put forward reinstated the Gatwick purser. As demanded by premium passengers in many surveys. I know you aren't close to the issue, however a considerable amount of work was done back in 2008 as our Pursers at LGW were earning less than main crew. This combined with the dissatisfied premium passengers results demanded a senior was restored to the cabins. This ensured the purser was replaced. Based on solid market research.

The BASSA deal. Which costs me as main crew £23 pounds a month ensures our pursers earn more than me. Our premium pax are satisfied and a career path for me.

Good result wouldn't you say?

The £23 pay cut also ensures my transfer agreement, as well as protection of my flying agreements.

All in all. A win for both passengers and me. I'll do my bit to see this great company through these turbulent times. With pride.

What’s wrong with that.[/FONT]

There were 9 "failure to reports" at LGW during the strike.

I hear that the reps did indeed continue their course at Cranebank. :yuk:

HAHAHAHAHA

If there were 40 of you at the support centre on strike day, that will be 9 strikers/off sickers max (Fact. See above). The other 31 would have been those lucky souls on days off/leave (who didn't have to make that decision), come out to support strikers, not strikers themselves.

Who's spinning here?

CaribbeanBoy
 

I am assuming then that you have made a note of some of the threats made on here by those that went on strike to "keep their mouths shut" or they will be offloaded. It works both ways doesn't it?